Changes in the VAT regulation in Belgium

Modified on Thu, 4 Jun at 6:29 PM

Introduction

VAT rate changes – Belgium (update February 2026)

The Belgian government previously announced VAT changes expected to take effect on 1 March 2026, including adjustments for take-away meals.

However, following legal objections raised by the Council of State, part of the planned VAT reform has been postponed.

This article clarifies what currently applies and what does not affect Trivec POS configurations.

What has been postponed?

The planned VAT increase from 6% to 12% for:

Culture
Sports
Leisure
Take-away meals

has been postponed.

The government was unable to finalise a legally robust framework for these changes in time. As a result, the VAT increase for take-away meals will not take effect on 1 March 2026.

This means:

The previously communicated VAT change for take-away (6% → 12%) is not applicable at this time.
No VAT adjustments should be made in Domino for take-away based on the 1 March date.

What does change on 1 March 2026?

Certain other VAT increases will still take effect on 1 March 2026, including:

Lodging (hotel stays, camping) → from 6% to 12%
Pesticides → from 12% to 21%

⚠️ Important
The VAT increase for lodging concerns overnight accommodation, not restaurant or catering services within hotels.

In most cases, this change does not affect standard horeca POS configurations in Domino, as it relates specifically to accommodation services.

What does this mean for Trivec customers?

At this moment:

No VAT changes are required in Domino for restaurant or take-away products.
Do not adjust VAT Rate 1 or VAT Rate 2 based on the previously announced 1 March changes for take-away.
Always verify VAT obligations with your accountant before making adjustments.

If new legislation is approved in the future, a separate update will be communicated.

Important reminder

VAT legislation may change and can be subject to legal interpretation.

Always:

Follow official government communication
Consult your accountant
Only adjust VAT rates in Domino once changes are legally in force

The Belgian government has reached an agreement on a draft Royal Decree introducing changes to several VAT rates.
These changes are expected to take effect from 1 March 2026, subject to final legislation.

⚠️ Important
VAT rates may only be adjusted once the legal framework is officially in force.
If the effective date is confirmed as 1 March 2026, VAT changes may only be applied in Domino from that date onwards.

Always verify the current legislation. In case of doubt, consult your accountant.

Overview of VAT changes as currently proposed (Postponed)

Restaurant and catering services

Today, restaurant and catering services apply different VAT rates for food and drinks:

Food: 12%
Drinks (including soft drinks): 21%

Under the new rules, alcohol-free drinks will become part of restaurant and catering services and will follow the same VAT rate as food.

From 1 March 2026 (expected):

Food: 12%
Alcohol-free drinks: 12%
Alcoholic drinks: 21%

Examples

Meal + cola in a restaurant → everything at 12% VAT
Meal + beer or wine → meal at 12%, alcohol at 21% VAT

Take-away meals

A take-away meal is defined as:

A prepared meal
Intended to be consumed without further preparation
With a limited shelf life of maximum 2 days from the day of preparation

The VAT rate for these meals will increase from 6% to 12% VAT.

Examples

Freshly prepared pizza with a shelf life of up to 2 days → 12% VAT
The same pizza, vacuum-packed with a shelf life longer than 2 days → 6% VAT
Frozen pizza from a supermarket → 6% VAT
Standard take-away pizza from a pizzeria → 12% VAT

VAT rules for take-away sales

For take-away (no additional service), the following VAT rules apply:

12% on prepared meals, drinks and snacks
21% on alcoholic drinks
21% on unprocessed luxury food products
(lobster, caviar, crab, oysters, truffle)

How to adjust VAT rates in Domino

VAT structure in Domino

VAT rate 1 = consumption on site
VAT rate 2 = take-away (to go)

VAT can be adjusted:

Per product group or subgroup
Or per individual product

Adjust VAT per product group or subgroup

Go to Backoffice → Cash → Products.
Select the product group or subgroup on the left-hand side.
- Only products from the selected group will be shown on the right.
Click Adjust in the top-right corner of the product list.
In the popup window, change VAT Rate 1 or VAT Rate 2 to the desired rate.
The popup shows how many products will be affected.
Click OK to confirm.

VAT rate mapping

High = 21%
Medium = 12%
Low = 6%

All products in the selected group or subgroup are now updated.

Example: on-site consumption

Alcohol-free drinks must be changed from 21% to 12%.
This means VAT Rate 1 must be changed from High to Medium.

Example: take-away

Follow the same steps, but adjust VAT Rate 2 to the correct percentage.

Adjust VAT per individual product

Select the product.
Click the pencil icon to edit the product.
Scroll down to the VAT section.
Adjust VAT Rate 1 and/or VAT Rate 2.
Click OK to save.

Important reminder

VAT legislation is subject to change and interpretation.
Always verify the current rules and consult your accountant if you are unsure how a product should be taxed.

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